Complementary Pain Treatments & Palliative Care for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. Asbestos is the primary cause for mesothelioma, and development of the disease often does not occur until decades after first exposure to the deadly substance. Because of this and non-specific symptoms of the disease, mesothelioma is usually not diagnosed until it has reached advanced stages. Therefore, pain management and palliative care are central and important aspects of any treatment plan.
In addition to pharmacological (drug) methods, there are many complementary treatments that can be used by the mesothelioma patient to relieve pain, nausea, fatigue, and other psychological effects caused by the disease. Helping Mesothelioma Patients recently published an article that lists some of the recommended and non-harmful complementary methods that can be very effective in helping anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma and other types of asbestos-related cancers.
Some of these methods include:
- Massage
- Hydrotherapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Aromatherapy
- Acupuncture
- Biofeedback
- Meditation
- Prayer
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is highly recommended that you speak with your oncologist about standard as well as complementary forms of care that can address all aspects of treating the disease. Complementary care can help patients and their family members with the non-physical factors often associated with having mesothelioma, such as emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social. Being diagnosed with mesothelioma often brings up feelings of fear, stress, confusion, anxiety and sadness, all of which can lead to increased pain levels, less responsiveness to treatments, and overall decreased quality of life.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please talk to your health care team about all forms of care that extend beyond treating just the physical symptoms. If your diagnosis causes financial anxiety and you would like more information on how to receive compensation to make up for lost wages and cover medical costs, call toll free 1-800-440-4262 to talk to an experienced mesothelioma attorney specializes in asbestos lawsuits.
